JPH0443088A - Sheet processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid trouble such as the interruption of processing by mounting a warning means giving warning to at least the selection of staple processing when it is judged that the number of image forming sheets are more than the number of staple needles by a comparing means. CONSTITUTION:First, the set number of copy sheets is compared with the count value of a needle counter. The set number of copy sheets is transmitted to a sorter CPU 370 as the numerical value inputted to a copier main body by an operator from a copier CPU 380. When the set number of sheets is larger than the needle count value, a staple display LED flashes to give warning such that staple processing becomes imperfect when the copier main body is started as it is and urges the supply of staple needles. When the set number of sheets is less than the count value of the needle counter, the blinking of the LED is stopped. Therefore, trouble such that the staple needles are exhausted on the way of staple processing and the processing is interrupted can be avoided and the supply timing of the staple needle can be detected by an operator and the staple needle can be efficiently used.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field The present invention receives and stacks image-formed sheets discharged from a sheet processing device, particularly a copying machine, a laser printer, etc., and then staples the stacked sheets using a stapler. The present invention relates to a sheet processing device.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, in the field of copying devices and printing devices that form images on sheets, various sheet processing devices equipped with automatic staplers have been developed. The automatic stapler used here usually adopts a cartridge-type staple replenishment system, and has a built-in staple empty detection sensor, and when the remaining amount of staples falls below a certain amount, an empty message is sent from the sensor. Based on this, an empty display, a stoppage of the device, and an instruction to replenish the needle are given (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-73274).

However, with the above control, the operator cannot check the number of remaining staples, and if the number of copies is set to be larger than the number of remaining staples and the machine continues to operate, there is an inconvenience that the machine will stop midway. have.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus that can avoid problems such as the staples running out during the stapling process and the process being interrupted.

In order to achieve the above object, a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a stapling means for automatically stapling stacked sheets, a selection means for selecting a stapling process by the stapling means, and a stapling means stored in the stapling means. a counting means for counting the number of broken staples; a comparison means for comparing the number of image formation sheets set in the image forming apparatus with the number of staples counted by the counting means;
The present invention is characterized by comprising a warning means for warning at least the selection of stapling processing when the comparison means determines that the number of images to be formed is larger than the number of staples.

For example, when the number of staples accommodated in the stapler is determined in advance (cartridge replaceable type), the counting means stores the number of staples accommodated in a counter of the control mechanism at the time of staple replacement, and stores the number of staples accommodated in the stapler in one time. The counter is decremented for each process.

The comparison means compares the number of images to be formed set in the image forming apparatus and the number of staples counted by the counting means, and if the former is greater than the latter, a warning is issued at least regarding the selection of stapling processing. The warning is issued, for example, by flashing a display lamp on the operation panel of the sheet processing apparatus.

Embodiments of the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments described below, the present invention is applied to a sorter with a finisher having a sheet distribution function.

[Overall Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, the sorter 100 is installed on the side of the copying machine main body 1. The copying machine main body 1 is provided with an automatic document feeder 30 (hereinafter referred to as RDH).

The copying machine main body 1 forms an image on a sheet by a well-known electrophotographic method. A photosensitive drum 2, which is rotated in the direction of arrow a, is first charged with a certain amount of charge by a charging chiller 3. is applied, and the optical system 4 scans in the direction indicated by the arrow, so that the original set at a predetermined position on the original platen glass 29 is exposed to the slit by the RDH 30. In this way, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 is turned into a toner image by a magnetic brush type developing device 5, and a transfer charger 6
The image is transferred onto the paper by applying an electric field from the source.

Copying sheets are selectively fed one by one from either a nilevate-type or cassette-type automatic paper feeder 10.11 in the copying machine main body 1, and are delivered to the transfer section at a predetermined timing by a pair of timing rollers 19. sent to. The sheet after the transfer is sent to the fixing device 21 by the conveyor belt 20, where the toner image is fixed, and then sent from the discharge roller pair 22 to the sorter 100, and at this time, the photo sensor SE
Its passage is detected at 4. Further, a paper refeeding device 25 for double-sided copying and composite copying is built into the copying machine main body 1, and a paper conveyance switching claw 26 for this purpose is installed in front of the discharge roller pair 22.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 2 continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow a even after the transfer, and the remaining toner is wiped away by the blade type cleaning device 7, and the residual charge is completely erased by the eraser lamp 8, and the next copying operation is performed. Be prepared.

The RDH 30 is well known in itself, and it feeds documents placed on a document tray 31 one by one using a paper feed roller 32, passes them through a reversing conveyance section 33, and transfers them to the document table glass 29 by rotation of a conveyance belt 34. Set it in the specified position above. After the image exposure, the original is discharged onto the original tray 31 from the discharge roller pair 36 through the reversing conveyance path 35 by the rotation of the conveyance belt 34.

Structure and operation of C sorter section As shown in FIG. 2, the cosorter 100 includes 20 stages of bins 102 for distributing and storing sheets, a vertical conveyance path 110,
Switching claw 120 and discharge roller 1 corresponding to each bin 102
25.126. This sorter 100 is divided into 10 upper bins and 10 lower bins.

The vertical conveyance path 110 includes a vertical guide frame 111. Four conveyance rollers 115, a pinch roller 116 that is in pressure contact with the conveyance rollers 116 and rotates as a result of rotation, a switching claw 120 and a guide plate 124 installed corresponding to each bin 102, and a discharge roller. 125 and a pinch roller 126 which is in pressure contact with the pinch roller 126 and rotates as a result of the pinch roller 125, and the intermediate portions are communicated with each other by guide plates 57 and 58. At the entrance of the sorter 100, there are guide plates 51, 52, sheet receiving rollers 53, 54, and a vertical transport path 1 for transporting sheets.
Guide plates 72 and 73 are installed to guide the user to the upper part of 10. In addition, as sheet detection means, transmissive photo sensors SEI and SE2 detect the presence or absence of sheets on the bins 102 for each upper and lower bin group, and transmissive photo sensors SEI and SE2 detect the sheet immediately before being stored in each bin 102. Sensor SE
3 (see Figure 3) is installed.

The switching claws 120, except for the one facing the bottom bin 102, can be rotated around a support shaft 121 by a dedicated solenoid, and when each solenoid is turned off, the switching claws 120 are set to the solid line position in FIG. 2. vertical plane 12
0a (see FIG. 3) and a vertical guide frame 111 to guide the sheet downward. The sheet is conveyed in the longitudinal direction by conveying rollers 115 and 116. On the other hand, switching claw 1
When each solenoid 20 is turned on, the sheet is switched as shown by the dashed line at the top of FIG. 126 to each bin 102. The switching operation of the switching claw 120 is performed at the timing when the rear end of the sheet is detected by the sensor SE3, and the sheet is sequentially switched from the upper stage to the lower stage for the number of copies (number of copies). It is distributed sequentially from the first bin 102 to the lower bin 102. Note that when the grouping mode is selected, the set number of sheets are stored in the same bin 102, so the switching claw 120 is switched in response to the completion of storage of the set number of final copies.

Further, the switching claw 120 at the lowest stage (the 200th stage) is fixed at a position where its curved surface 120b guides the sheet to the bin 102 at the lowest stage.

[Configuration and operation of finisher unit As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the finisher unit 300 includes a stapler 220 installed on the front side and a bin 102.
Aligning means 308 for allowing sheets accommodated in the sheet to come into contact with the alignment reference plate 102b on the rear side, and a stapler 2 for aligning the sheets.
Staple reference plate 102c serves as a reference for engagement with 20
extrusion means 309 for bringing the extrusion means 3 into contact with the extrusion means 3;
09 and the stapler 220 to a position corresponding to each bin 102 (see FIG. 6). Each bin 102 is set in an upright state tilted forward (in the sheet storage direction) and maintained at a constant interval in the vertical direction, and the alignment reference plate 102b and the staple reference plate 102c are integrally attached to each bin 102. Completely formed.

Furthermore, each bin 102 has a backflow prevention plate 102a that regulates the rear end of the stored sheets, and has a notch 102 on both sides in which an alignment means 308 and an extrusion means 309 can be moved.
g, 102h, and a cutout 1021 for the operator to manually take out the sheet.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the alignment means 308 has an alignment rod 303 and a support shaft 304 attached to both ends of a holding lever 3020, and is installed so as to be rotatable on a horizontal plane using the support shaft 304 as a fulcrum. . The alignment means 308 is divided into two parts so as to be able to process the upper bin group and the lower bin group independently, respectively, and each has a drive means (not shown) (for example,
equipped with a solenoid.

The alignment operation is performed for each sheet that has been accommodated in the bin 102. That is, the aligning means 308 moves the fourth sheet around the spindle 304 every time one sheet is completely stored on the bin 102.
Rotate the sheet to the position indicated by the dotted chain line in the figure, and place the sheet on the alignment reference plate 10.
2b to align between the alignment rod 303 and the alignment reference plate 102b. That is, the sheets that have been completely accommodated in position P1 shown by the dotted line are aligned to position P2 shown by the dashed line. Also,
With respect to the sheet storage direction, due to the inclination of the bin 102, the sheets come into contact with the backflow prevention plate 102a under their own weight, and are automatically aligned.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pushing means 309 has a pushing rod 306 and a spindle 307 attached to both ends of a holding lever 305, and is rotatable on a horizontal plane using the spindle 307 as a fulcrum. , a drive source (for example, a solenoid) not shown. This extrusion means 309 is movable to a position corresponding to each bin 102 from the uppermost bin 102 to the lowermost bin 102, and is moved up and down in synchronization with the stapler 220 by a moving means 400 described below. The sheet extrusion operation is performed for each bin 102 after the sorting operation is completed. That is, the extrusion means 3
09 is moved together with the stapler 220 to the side of the bin 102 to be stapled, rotates around the support shaft 307 to the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 4, and presses the sheet against the staple reference plate 102c. . As a result, the sheet moves from the alignment position P2 shown by the one-dot chain line to the stapling position P3 shown by the two-dot chain line, and is engaged with the stapler 220.

The stapler 220 operates in this state and staples the sheets. Thereafter, the aligning means 308 is rotated inward again, and the stapled sheet is placed on the aligning reference plate 10 using the aligning rod 303.
Press it against 2b. That is, the stapled sheets are returned from the stapling position P3 to the alignment position P2. This is to evacuate the sheet from the stapler 220.

Thereafter, the extrusion means 309 and stapler 220 are moved to the next bin position.

[Structure and Operation of Stapler and Its Moving Means] As shown in FIG. 7, the stapler 220 has a cam 222 fixed to a motor output shaft 221, and a swingable arm 224 that moves around the cam 222 with a bin 223 as a fulcrum. When the cam 222 is rotated in the direction of the arrow g by the motor, the head 225 moves in the direction of the arrow i via the arm 224, and the needle 226 moves towards the bottle 102.
Bind the sheets aligned above. The staples 226 are straight staples arranged in a plate shape and hardened with adhesive, and a predetermined number of staples are stored in the cartridge 227 in advance in a state where they are elastically pressed downward by a spring member (not shown). , the motor output shaft 221 one by one starting from the lowest layer.
The image is sent to the head section by a conveyor belt 228 that can be rotated at . The stapler 220 also includes a reflective photosensor SE for detecting attachment/detachment of the cartridge 227.
E is installed, and sensor SE5 is turned on when the cartridge 227 is installed and turned off when it is removed. moreover,
The stapler 220 is fully equipped with a photosensor SE6 for detecting the rotational speed of the staple motor. This sensor SE
6 detects a notch 209a of a disc 229 fixed to the motor output shaft 221.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the stapler 220 is attached to a protective case 310 installed upright on the front side of the bin 102.
It is housed inside so that it can be moved up and down. Protective case 310
has a cover 311 at its upper end that can be opened and closed. The cover 311 is fully opened during needle replenishment, which will be explained below, and its open/closed state is detected by the switch SWI. Protective case 3
10, the stapler 220 is fixed to a belt 405 that is stretched endlessly around rollers 403 and 404, as shown in FIG. The belt 405 is connected to the roller 4 via the belt 402 from the stepping motor M1.
The driving force that can be transmitted to 03 can be used to drive in the direction of arrow C or C'.

The stapler 220 moves up and down as the belt 405 moves in the direction of arrow C or C', and is set at a predetermined bin position. The extrusion means 309 also moves vertically in synchronization with the stapler 220 via a linking means (not shown).

At the initial position of the stapling process, the stapler 220 has returned to the home position corresponding to the first bin 102, and the photosensor SE7 detects that the stapler 220 is set at this home position. The stapling process is performed by the stapler 220 moving down one bin at a time corresponding to the bins 102 and binding the sheets on the bins 102 one bundle at a time. The amount of movement of stapler 220 is detected and controlled by the number of pulses that drive stepping motor M1.

The cartridge 227 stores 5,000 staples 226 in advance, and when a new cartridge 227 is installed, the operation panel 350 (eighth
"5000" is displayed on the upper display 365 (see figure), and the display is subtracted each time one stapling process is completed. Furthermore, when performing the stapling process, the set number of copies set in the copying machine body 1 and the remaining number of staples 226 are compared, and if the set number is greater than the remaining number of staples 226, ,
Warn about stapling selection. Note that such control will be explained later with reference to a flowchart.

[Operation Panel] As shown in FIG. 8, the operation panel 350 of the sorter 100 includes an operation mode selection key 351, a non-sort mode display LED 352, and a sort mode display L.
ED 353 and grooving mode display LED 354
, a staple mode selection key 355 and its display section, a staple mode display LED 356, and a 7-segment display 3 that displays the remaining number of staples 226.
65 are provided. Operation mode selection key 351 is 1
Each time you press the button, the mode switches sequentially to non-sort mode, sort mode, and grouping mode, and the corresponding L E
D 352.353.354 lights up. Each time the staple mode selection key 355 is pressed, the staple mode is selected or canceled, and when the staple mode is selected, the corresponding LED 356 lights up. Also, LED360
flashes when the number of copies and the set number of copies are greater than the remaining number of staples 226, alerting the operator to this fact and prompting him to replenish the staples.

[Control circuit] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the control circuit, and the microcomputer (CPU) 370 that controls the sorter 100 has a microcomputer (CPU) that controls the copying machine main body 1.
380, various switches and LEDs on the sorter panel 350
, mechanical control section 371 of sorter 100, sensor S
Various detection means such as EI and switch SWI are connected. Further, the CPU 370 has a built-in random access memory (RAM) 372.

[Control procedure] Next, we will explain the control procedure based on the above control circuit in the 10th section.
This will be explained with reference to the flowchart below. By the way, in the following explanation, on-edge means that a switch, sensor, signal, etc. switches from an off state to an on state, and off-edge means that a switch, sensor, signal, etc. switches from an on state to an off state. means.

FIG. 10 shows the main routine of the CPU 370.

When the CPU 370 is reset and the program is started, in step S1, the RAM 372 is cleared, various registers are initialized, and initial settings are made to put each device into an initial mode. Next, in step S2, an internal timer is started. This internal timer determines the time required for the main routine, and its value is set in advance in the initial setting at step S1.

Next, after calling each subroutine in steps 53 to S6 to execute necessary processing, the process waits for the internal timer to end in step S7, and then returns to step S2.

The time length of one routine is used to count various timers in each subroutine.

Step S3 is a subroutine for distributing and storing sheets into each bin 102, and its details will be omitted. Step S4
is a subroutine for counting the number of remaining staples 226. Step S5 is a subroutine in which the stapler 220 sequentially staples the sheets that have been stored in each bin 102, and when the staples 226 run out, a corresponding process is executed. Step S6 is a subroutine that compares the remaining number of staples 226 with the set number of copies input by the operator in the main body 1 of the copying machine. The subroutines of steps 54, 55, and 56 will be described in detail below.

FIG. 11 shows a subroutine for counting the remaining number of staples that can be executed in step S4.

First, in step 510, the contents of the staple counter in the RAM 372 (the remaining number of staples 226) are displayed on the display 36.
5, and in step 511, it is determined whether the cartridge 227 is attached or detached by turning on or off the cartridge detection sensor SE5. If sensor SE5 is off, cartridge 2
27 has been removed, the needle counter is reset to "O" in step 512, and the process moves to step 515. If the sensor SE5 is on, it is determined in step 513 whether or not the sensor is on-edge, and if it is on-edge, a new cartridge 227 has been installed in the stapler 220, so the staple counter is set to "5000" in step 514. The process moves to step 515. If sensor SE5 is not on-edge, the process immediately moves to step 515.

In step 515, it is determined whether one stapling process has been completed, and if completed, the staple counter is decremented in step 516. Next, in step 517, it is determined whether the count value of the staple counter is "0" or not. If the count value is "0", the stapling stop flag is set to "11" in step 518; Step 51
At step 9, the stapling stop flag is reset to r□.

FIG. 12 shows the stapler 2 that can be executed in step S5.
20 shows a subroutine for controlling 20.

First, in step 530, the stapling stop flag is set to "1".
If it is set to ``rl'', processing to stop the stapling operation is performed in step 531, and ``rl'' is set.
If the flag has been reset to "0", a stapling operation is performed in step 532. Note that steps 531 and 532
The details of the processing will be omitted.

FIG. 13 shows a warning display subroutine executed in step S6.

First, in step 540, the set copy number and the count value of the needle counter are compared. The set number of copies is input by the operator in the copying machine main body 1 and is communicated from the CPU 380 to the CPU 370.

If the set number of sheets is greater than the needle counter value, step 5
At step 41, the staple display LED 356 is blinked to warn that if the copying machine main body 1 is started up as it is, the stapling process will be incomplete, and to urge replenishment of the staples 226. On the other hand, if the set number of sheets is less than the count value of the needle counter, the flashing of the LED 356 is stopped in step 542.

[Other Examples] Note that the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist.

For example, when replacing the cartridge 227, the operator may operate a reset switch provided separately on the operation panel 350 to reset the display 365 to the initial value. Further, the operation panel 350 may be provided with a numeric keypad for inputting arbitrary numerical values on the display 365.

On the other hand, various configurations can be adopted for the configuration of the sorter section and the finisher section. For example, it is also possible to adopt a method in which sheets distributed and housed on a bin are automatically taken out from the bin, conveyed to a stapling tray, and stapled on the tray. In case of combination with RDH30, only one bin (tray) is provided, and each time a - group of documents is circulated and conveyed by RDH30, staple processing is performed on the bin (tray) and the documents are ejected to the stacker. It may be a method. Further, the bins 102 do not need to be divided into two parts each having 10 bins as in the above embodiment, and can be arranged not only horizontally but also substantially vertically, with the sheet standing diagonally. It may also be distributed and accommodated.

Alternatively, since the last few staples 226 are likely to cause staple failure, the cartridge 226
Even if 5,000 needles can be accommodated in 7, the display 365
, the needle counter may be reset to an initial value of "4970", for example. Even when displaying the remaining number of staples 226 on the display 365, it is possible to start the display from two digits or an appropriate number (for example, "99") before the staples 226 run out, or to display a specific number. First, it is sufficient to simply display a message to that effect when the number has decreased to a certain number or less.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, the number of images to be formed set in the image forming apparatus and the remaining number of staples are compared, and when the former is greater than the latter, at least the stapling process is performed. Since a warning is issued for the selection, it is possible to avoid inconveniences such as running out of staples in the middle of the stapling process and interrupting the process.Furthermore, the operator can detect the timing of replenishing staples, increasing the efficiency of stapling. can be used.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of a sorter with a finisher which is an embodiment of a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram including the copying machine main body, FIG. The figure is a front view of the sheet distribution section, which is the main part of the sorter.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the bottle, alignment means and extrusion means;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the bins and extrusion means, FIG. 6 is a side view showing the bins, the stapler, and their moving means, FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the stapler, and FIG. 8 is a plan view of the sorter panel. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the control circuit. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the microcomputer, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine that controls the counting of staples, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine that controls the stapler, and FIG. 13 is a warning FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for controlling display. 1... Copying machine main body, 102... Bin, 220...
Stapler, 226... Staple needle, 300...
Finisher section, 355... Staple selection key, 3
56... Staple display LED, 365... Display unit, 370... Microcomputer, SE5... Cartridge detection sensor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A sheet processing device capable of receiving and stacking sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus and selectively stapling the sheets, comprising: a stapling means for automatically stapling the stacked sheets; and the stapling device. a selection means for selecting a stapling process by the means; a counting means for counting the number of staples accommodated in the stapling means; Comparing means for comparing the number of staples with the number of staples, and warning means for warning at least against the selection of stapling processing if the comparing means determines that the number of image forming sheets is larger than the number of staples. A sheet processing device featuring: 2. Claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the number of staples counted by the counting means.
The sheet processing device described.